Victoria raced into the main house feeling as though her heart would crack and bleed all over the floor. She found Robert in the library. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she cried.
He jumped to his feet and looked at her alarmed. “Tell you what?”
“About your father.”
He grabbed her shoulders. “What about my father?”
Lavinia calmly entered the room. “I told her everything, Robert. You can try to deny it, but that won’t work.”
His eyes darkened. “You had no right—”
“I have every right to tell her the truth,” she snapped.
Victoria fell to the couch all her energy leaving her as ice spread through her body. “So it’s true? Is that why you never mentioned your father?” Her voice shook. “Because my father killed him?”
He looked at her helplessly. “It wasn’t like that. He—”
“Tell her the truth Robert,” Lavinia said. “Tell her what he did.”
Victoria wrung her hands, wanting to scream. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why?”
“Because my son is a good man,” Lavinia said. “Because he didn’t want you to know how your father destroyed our lives. Because he didn’t want to share with you the many years we mourned my husband who was a good and kind man. Robert didn’t want to tell you how long it took for my husband to die because your father was a greedy bastard.”
“Mom,” Robert said. “That’s enough.”
She continued, her eyes pinned on Victoria as her voice trembled with anger. She pointed at her son. “He had nightmares for years. That’s why he left psychology for this fire thing he does. Always searching for answers, but they will never make everything all right. They will never make my husband’s senseless death okay.” She pointed at her. “You--”
He stood in front of Victoria. “I said that’s enough.”
Lavinia stopped, surprised by her son’s vehemence. “Robert, don’t raise your voice at me.”
“Vernon Taylor didn’t kill my father.”
“Yes, he did. He killed all that he was.”
Victoria pulled his shirt, desperate for answers. “What happened?”
Robert paused then said, “One of the buildings of my father’s rival went up in flames. My father was indicted on arson charges and eventually convicted. Fortunately, on appeal they were able to overturn the verdict and he was released.”
“He was never, the same after that,” Lavinia said. “His spirit was broken. He died a few months after his release. Years later we learned that Vernon Taylor confessed to starting the fire for profit. The very same fire for which he’d watched my husband go to prison.”
“But he didn’t kill him,” Robert said.
Lavinia raised her brows. “He didn’t kill him? Where was he when my husband was on trial? Where was he when my husband was sent to prison? Where was he when my husband came out of prison with his reputation in shambles?” She looked at Victoria. “Your father burned a lot more than buildings. He burned dreams and spirits. He killed my husband by taking away the one thing he had pride in—his name.”
Victoria looked at her with tears streaming down her face. “I know. I live with that fact every day. Don’t worry. You’ll never have to see me again.” She darted to the door.
Robert grabbed her and turned her to face him. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to think it was your fault.”
She tried to free herself from his grasp. “You must hate him more than I ever could.”
He tightened his grip until she became still. “When I was younger I did, but my father is dead, and hating yours will not bring him back.” Her tears gripped his heart, he pulled her into his arms, desperate to comfort her. “It’s okay.”
Lavinia curled her lip. “It’s nice to know you’re so forgiving of a coward who could watch another man pay for his crimes.”
Robert sent her such a look of anger she nearly bit her tongue. “I said that’s enough. I won’t repeat myself again.”
She flashed a cynical smile at the embracing couple. “Fine.” She stiffened her back and clasped her hands together. “I think Amanda should stay with me.”
He led Victoria to the couch and handed her a tissue. “She’s staying here.”
“She’s reaching the age where she needs a woman’s guidance.”
“She’s staying here.”
Her voice rose with indignation. “I will not have her in this house while you carry on with the help! Have you no sense of decency?”
Robert spoke to Victoria without looking at her. “Please excuse us.”
“No, please stay,” Lavinia said. “Let’s hear how your shining knight will come to your rescue. He’s good at rescuing women. Aren’t we Robert? First your sister then your first wife.” Her lip twisted cruelly. “Remember how she thanked you?”
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“You let her walk all over you. She could do anything.”
“No, she could never hurt me as much as you do.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I knew she never loved me, but I have to remind myself that you do.”
Lavinia stared at him startled by his words. She never intended to hurt him. She loved her baby boy, but she now saw the pain he was careful to hide. She fought against gathering tears. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want what’s best for you. I wish you could see that.”
All she could see was the depths of his feelings for the woman sitting on the couch. He wasn’t even aware how he looked at her, the possessiveness in his eyes, and the tenderness of his touch. She wondered if this woman would use him as others had. He was so blind to how vulnerable he was to her. “You were always so stubborn.” She sighed, resigned. “So you’re serious about your feelings for this...” She gestured to Victoria searching for words. “Woman?”
Robert folded his arms. “Her name is Victoria.”
“I know.”
“I want you to say it.”
“Well for once in your life you’re not going to get what you want.” She pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head saddened. “Poor Robert, you have more of your grandfather in you than I thought.” She looked at Victoria with reluctant admiration. “Well, young woman, I congratulate you. It seems your aunt taught you well.”
Victoria stared at her confused; Lavinia laughed. “Oh, yes. We haven’t gotten to the will yet. When will that ridiculously hairy man get here?”
“Mr. Englewood was detained due to an emergency,” Robert said. “He will be here tomorrow.”
Her face brightened. “Oh good. That should prove exciting.”
Victoria glanced at both of them. “Why?”
“Because you’ll likely inherit the carriage house and enough money for you to live well for the rest of your life. “You see your aunt also knew that marrying a Braxton was a good career move.”
Victoria turned to Robert. “What is she talking about?”
When he didn’t respond, Lavinia said, “Your aunt took care of his grandfather, then had the presence of mind to marry the dying man and became his rich widow.”
“That’s not why she married him,” Robert said.
“Your grandfather was a sick old man,” she scoffed.
“Why else would she marry him? Did she love him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“She learned to,” Victoria said, remembering her aunt’s words about the man she married. “She learned to love him very much.” Now things made sense—the picture on the side table, the reason her aunt never told her the name of her husband. But why? Why had she kept it such a secret?
“I’m certain her love grew the closer he got to the grave,” Lavinia said.
“You can choose to believe that,” Robert said. “But you can’t deny that his last few years were some of his happiest. Because despite the death of his first wife, his second son, and his illness, he knew how to live with joy. I think after Dad died you forgot how to love.”
She turned before he could see her tears. “I have things to do.” She left the room.
Victoria moved to follow her. “You have to go after her.”
“Why?” Robert asked.
“Because you hurt her.”
He sighed. “She’s been hurt a long time.”
“I know,” Victoria said then slipped out of the room.
* * *
The sky drizzled a somber rain over the carriage house when Mr. Englewood arrived to read the will. A tall thick man with a bushy, brown mustache that matched his eyebrows, he smiled when he saw Victoria. He held out his hand to her and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Same,” she said.
“Your aunt was a wonderful woman. She will be missed.” He tapped his portfolio. “Where will we meet?”
She led him to the study where he addressed the others. Lavinia, JB, and Jerome sat on one side of the room, while Victoria and Robert sat on the other.
Mr. Englewood sat at the desk and opened his portfolio. “Let’s begin...”
Victoria glanced at a picture of lilies behind his head. Her aunt hadn’t used the study much. The presence of the elder Mr. Braxton lingered in the room with his selection of gardening and finance books and wood sculptures. Her aunt had preferred the living room or kitchen. The kitchen had been the place of her joy and the place of her death. To Victoria it would be the keeper of her memory. A place where she’d cooked their evening meals, filling the house with the scents of plantain, soursop soup, and sizzling fish fritters. She’d remember the sight of her aunt’s reading glasses sitting low on her nose as she read, waiting for the water to boil or a stew to simmer.
“Well, that was expected,” Lavinia said, breaking into Victoria’s thoughts.
She blinked. Everyone stared at her “I’m sorry?”
“You inherited almost everything, weren’t you listening and please don’t look surprised.”
JB frowned. “Mother.”
“Imagine your grandfather giving away something on our land.”
“It was his land first.”
She looked at Robert. “At least she won’t have to marry you to get her hands on your money. Unless two million isn’t enough.”
Victoria jumped to her feet. “Two million? There must be a mistake.”
“There’s no mistake,” Mr. Englewood said. “Naturally, she left a significant amount to charities and had established a scholarship fund for youth in Jamaica, but most of the money was entrusted to you. I can address any questions or concerns you have. I will leave you my card.”
“But there must be an error. This can’t be right.”
“No, it’s not right.” Lavinia said. “But it’s real.”
Millions. It did seem a cruel twist of fate that she should benefit from her aunt’s marriage. Her father had ruined their lives. She shouldn’t inherit what was rightfully theirs. “I don’t want it.”
They stared at her.
She grew more adamant as the silence lengthened. “I’ll give it back.”
“Don’t be foolish,” JB said.
“Didn’t you hear how much?” Jerome said.
Robert tugged on her arm. “You’re just upset.”
“No,” Victoria said. “My father did a terrible thing. If I give you the money back it would be a way to atone.”
Robert shook his head. “You don’t have to sacrifice for your father. Your aunt wrote this will in good faith. She would want you to be taken care of.”
“No, I’ve done nothing to deserve such a fortune.”
“Keep some of the money,” Jerome said. “We’re not exactly paupers.”
“Keep it all,” JB said. “Your aunt wanted it that way.”
Victoria looked at Lavinia. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re a very dramatic and proud woman. You will not do us any favors by treating us like a charity.”
Victoria’s temper snapped. She stood and went to the door tired of trying to be kind. “I’d like to have a word, Mrs. Braxton.”
“You can’t speak to—”
“I don’t like waiting, Mrs. Braxton.”
Lavinia didn’t move.
Victoria waited.
A tense silence filled the room.
After a moment, Victoria picked up a vase and studied it. “This is beautiful. Is this very expensive?”
“Of course,” Lavinia said, annoyed by her ignorance. “And rare too. It’s a—”
Victoria cut her off by tossing the vase in the air. She caught it and looked at her. “Then if you don’t want me to break it I suggest we have a word.”
Lavinia slowly rose to her feet. “Very well.” She walked past her and sat in the living room.
“Let’s go into the kitchen,” Victoria said.
“I do not sit in kitchens, Ms. Spenser. Now what do you have to say to me?”
Victoria tried not to take offense to the rude tone. She sat in front of her. “I know you don’t think I’m worthy of your son. But I do love him.”
“Love?” Lavinia scoffed. “You love his good looks and his money. Perhaps you know his favorite color or what he likes with his dinner, but that doesn’t prove anything. Women have been falling in love with my boys since the day I had them. And not one of them was sincere. JB’s wife died before he could discover the truth, thank goodness.
“Not one of those women knew what love is. Do you know what love is?” She didn’t give her a chance to reply. “Love is seeing him when he’s miserable with a cold and still being grateful he’s yours, it’s the quiet moments at dinner when you remember his hair used to be thicker, but you don’t care. It’s tantrums and laughter—”
“It’s being angry,” Victoria interrupted. “But never hating him. It’s accepting his moods as he accepts yours and it’s knowing your heart will not waver with time.”
Lavinia stared at her surprised and a bit humbled. “I see. Perhaps you may be different after all,” she said with reluctance. She stood. “However, I still don’t approve of...” She waved her hand searching for words. “This.” She studied Victoria for a moment. “But I think I understand now.” Lavinia suddenly sighed and turned away. “No, I know I do.” She patted Victoria on the shoulder in a fleeting, absent gesture then left.
Once everyone had gone, Victoria wandered around the house disoriented, trying to grasp how her life had changed. Soon the house became a prison and she walked the grounds wondering what to do next. She ended up in front of the insect ravaged garden. She felt as though her life resembled it. It had begun with such potential only to be ravaged by unforeseen forces. She should feel glad, but couldn’t.
She now had a place to stay and money to live on. Why did a sense of emptiness linger? Perhaps she was wicked. Wicked to want her aunt back more than all the money in the world. Wicked to want to belong to someone because that was what she’d wanted her entire life. She’d wanted a quiet, safe existent with someone she could make proud. She’d wanted to escape her past, but kept running into it. Now every time she looked at Robert she would see the face of one of her father’s victims.
Victoria heard someone coming and sighed. She had wanted time alone. JB turned around the corner. “Hello,” he said.
“Are you here to discuss the will?”
He looked surprised. “No.”
“I won’t tell you what I said to your mother.”
“I don’t expect you to.” He shrugged. “She’s really a nice woman once you get to know her.”
Victoria sniffed.
He sat beside her.
“I don’t want to talk,” she said.
“You won’t have to.” He fell silent then said, “ Did Mom tell you about Rosalind?”
“She told me everything about her.”
“Even how she was Robert’s greatest humiliation?” He nodded at her disbelief. “Yes, she did. She was beautiful and talented, but she also made a fool out of him.”
“How could anyone make a fool out of him?”
“By publicly showing everyone that she preferred other men to her husband.”
“She had a lover?”
“Lovers in the plural. We’re scared to count how many. She was an artist, I’m sure Mom told you, but she forgot to mention Rosalind’s little projects. She claimed to want to patron other artists so she started selecting protégés.
Robert supported his wife’s career unconcerned that they were usually men. The family suspected early that her protégés were much more than that, but we said nothing. Robert had no idea. Then one day he caught her in a very intimate position with one of them. He filed for divorce.
“Through the divorce proceedings he discovered she hadn’t been brought up in the middle-class Connecticut neighborhood as she had claimed, but had come from a tenement house in the Bronx. That wouldn’t have bothered him because he’s not an economic snob, but then he found out that when he’d met her she wasn’t making money from her art. She’d had an older man paying all her expenses for certain favors. Basically, she had climbed her way out of poverty on the backs of successful men and he was just another rung on the ladder. I’m not sure if you can understand, but it really hurt him to be married for his money and prestige, and then have his wife completely reject him as a man. He promised himself he wouldn’t get caught again.”
Victoria pulled at a blade of grass. “Why are you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “I just thought you might like to know.”
She digested his words and they sat in silence. Soon Jerome and Foster joined them. Jerome surveyed the area. “So this is the famous garden?”
“It was going to be beautiful,” Foster said.
JB looked around. “There’s always next year.”
Jerome looked at her curious. “So tell us about yourself.”
“You know everything that’s important,” Victoria said in no mood to humor him.
Robert came around the corner. “Don’t put her on the spot.”
“Hey, we’re just curious, little brother,” Jerome said. “You didn’t think you could keep this a secret for long, did you?”
JB nudged Victoria. “If Robert doesn’t work out, you’re free to stay with me.”
“Right,” Jerome said. “Like any woman in her right mind would want a man with three children.”
She stared at JB amazed. “Of course! You’re the one with the triplets.”
He suddenly smiled. “Yes, all girls.” He took out his wallet. “I have some pictures.”
Jerome rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t let him get started. You’re lucky he doesn’t drag along his camcorder.”
JB ignored him and handed Victoria his wallet. She flipped through the photos of three little girls about five years old. “They look like you,” she said.
JB studied the images. “They have a lot of their mother too.”
“Careful,” Jerome warned. “He thinks just because they’re cute he can use them to persuade some woman to marry him.”
He put the pictures away, uncomfortable. “That’s not true.”
“Sure it is. It took you two years just to get Christine to marry you and that was because—”
“Quiet,” Robert said.
“You don’t need to use your children to get a wife,” Victoria said, squeezing his hand. “You’re reason enough.”
Jerome laughed at the expression on JB’s face. “Wow, Robert. You actually found a woman who can make JB blush. Careful little brother, seems you’ve found another woman who knows how to handle men.”
A stunned hush fell.
JB sent his brother a quelling look.
Jerome cleared his throat. “Uh, sorry about that.”
Victoria stood, sensing the tension between them.”I have to go. Nice talking to you.”
The men waited for her to leave then JB turned to Robert. “So?” he asked.
Robert shrugged. “So what?”
“What’s going on?”
“I think that’s obvious,” Jerome said. “Here’s my advice. Have all the fun you want, just don’t marry her. ”
JB shook his head. “No, she gets on with Amanda. You should marry her if only for that.”
“She’ll take him to the cleaners. Keep her as a mistress. She won’t cost much.”
“She has her own money. She won’t cost anything.”
Jerome folded his arms. “When has a woman cost you nothing? Even with a prenup--”
“I think Victoria’s different.”
“Why? Because of that grand display earlier? I agree with Mom—a quick show of dramatics and nothing more. She’ll get used to having money real fast.”
“So, you don’t like her,” Robert said.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like her. I like her very much, which means she’s probably not good for you.”
“Want her for yourself? Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Jerome narrowed his eyes. “I told you I was never with Rosalind. You don’t have to believe me, but it wouldn’t be the first time she lied to you.”
Robert shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away. “Sorry. I do believe you.”
He nodded letting his hands fall. “Good. I’m just offering advice. I think you should be careful.”
“I’m very careful.”
“Too careful,” JB said. “You need to take a risk.”
Jerome threw his head back and laughed. “This coming from you?” He laughed until tears filled his eyes.
JB frowned. “Ignore the laughing baboon and listen to me. Take a risk.”
“I am,” Robert said.
Jerome sobered. “If he marries this one, how will he know whether she’s just marrying him for his money?”
“Because she now has money of her own.”
“And again I say—”
Robert held up his hands. “I’m not interested in getting married again so let’s drop the subject.”
Jerome shrugged. “Okay. Let’s go grab a beer and complain about women.”
Robert saw Foster’s face. “No, let’s get a couple of root beers and catch a game.”
The men agreed and piled into his car.
* * *
“Have you seen Amanda?” Katherine asked Victoria later that day. Victoria saw Lavinia in the distance and knew Amanda’s disappearance would be the ammunition she needed to take her away. “I think I know where she is.”
“Does she always disappear like this?” Lavinia asked, coming toward them.
“Usually,” Katherine said. “She has a wild streak that Mr. Braxton overlooks.”
Victoria took a deep breath trying to keep her temper. “Amanda is a sensible girl. She is merely picky about who she spends time with.” She turned before either woman could reply. “I’ll find her.” A few moments later she found Amanda sitting in her favorite tree. “There you are.”
“I’m not going back inside,” she said in an angry little voice.
“Why not?”
“Because Grandma wants to take me and I won’t go.”
“Your uncle won’t let her take you.”
“He always does what the family tells him.”
Victoria watched an ant crawl up the trunk trying to think of something to say. “I don’t think he will this time.”
Amanda fell quiet then said cautiously, “Grandma doesn’t like you. She didn’t like Ms. Janet either.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “Just because.”
“Well, I like you.”
It was a simple statement, but after the looks from Katherine and Mrs. Braxton she needed to hear it. It made her feel as though she did belong in some way. “I’m glad.”
Amanda swung her legs. “Are you going to leave now that Ms. Janet is gone?”
Victoria studied Amanda’s worried face. “No.” She motioned for her to come down. “Let’s go before it gets dark.”
“I want to stay out here.” She hugged the trunk of the tree. “I want to sleep on this branch and watch morning come.”
“It’s not safe for you to stay out here.”
Her face lit up as she thought of an idea. “You could stay with me. There’s plenty of room.”
“I’ve got a better idea. You could sleep on the balcony.” Amanda considered the suggestion then asked, “Will you stay with me?”
Victoria hesitated. “Okay.”
Amanda smiled then climbed down the tree. “Great! I’ll help you pack.”
A half hour later, Robert met them as they came through the front door. “Where have you been?” he asked Amanda. “I come home and Ms. Katherine is in a panic.”
Amanda raced past him. “Ms. Victoria is spending the night.”
“That wasn’t my question,” he called after her: “Where are you going?”
“To get Ms. Katherine.” She disappeared around the corner.
Robert stared amazed. “I haven’t seen her that excited in a long time.” He turned to Victoria and began to grin. “So she convinced you to stay, hmm?”
“I-I only thought—”
“You don’t have to explain. You make her happy. Thank you.” He bent to kiss her.
She turned her cheek to him afraid someone might see them. “Not here in the open.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist “Relax. I told you they already know.”
She turned her back to him and tried to remove his arm. “It still doesn’t seem right’
He pulled her closer. “It feels right.” He kissed her throat, his coaxing lips melting any reservations. “Don’t you agree?”
She felt herself weaken and tilted her head giving him further access. “I’m beginning to.”
“Do I need to be a little more convincing?”
“Perhaps.”
He brushed her hair aside and kissed the back of her neck. “Would this convince you?”
“Maybe.”
His mouth seared a path to the curve of her neck. “How about this?”
She grinned. “Definitely.”
Katherine came around the corner and halted when she saw them. She drew in her lips. Victoria began to pull away; Robert tightened his hold. “Yes, Ms. Anderson?”
“Your niece has informed me that she wants to sleep on the balcony,” she said.
“Yes, I know.”
“She wants me to set everything up for her and Ms. Spenser.”
Robert nodded. “What’s the problem?”
She glanced at Victoria. “I think we should discuss the topic in private.”
“I don’t.”
“Very well. Your mother and I don’t think it’s appropriate behavior for Amanda to have sleepovers with the help staff.”
“I’ll decide what’s appropriate behavior,” he said cold and exact.
“Yes,” she said with a hint of disapproval. Her eyes slid to the arm wrapped around Victoria’s waist. “I’m sure you have a different idea of what that is.”
Victoria could feel Robert’s anger. She tried to move; his grip became like a steel bar. When she winced in pain, he loosened his hold. “Ms. Anderson why are you here?”
“I was hired to look after your niece and other familial issues,” she replied.
“Yes, you were hired. So you’re aware that position can change.”
She blinked surprised by the veiled threat. “Yes, Mr. Braxton.” She held her chin high. “Excuse me.”
Victoria shook her head as Katherine’s footsteps grew distant. “She’s going to dislike me even more now.”
Robert tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why would she dislike you?”
Victoria sighed. She didn’t feel like explaining it to him. “I don’t know. She just doesn’t approve of me.”
“Don’t worry. My nanny was the same way.”
Her voice cracked in surprise. “Your nanny? Katherine is your nanny?”
“Yes, of course. What did you think she was?”
“I don’t know,” she stammered. “But she made her role sound so impressive.”
“It is impressive. She looks after Amanda and any other children that come to the house. She watched Nicholas and Patrice grow.”
A nanny. She’d thought Katherine was a social hostess. She’d gone about with all that grace and snootiness to look after children? Katherine suddenly seemed so ordinary, she nearly laughed. Everything would be okay.
Victoria didn’t consider herself good with children, but Amanda didn’t seem like any of the children she’d grown up with. That evening under a canopy Victoria and Amanda set up their sleepover. The scent of a sweet spring evening filled the air. They made popcorn and cotton candy, then shivered over ghost stories and giggled at silly tales, watched a movie on Amanda’s DVD, made up songs, and then listened to some.
“I want my magician’s cape,” Amanda said beginning to stand. “Ms. Katherine knows where it is.” She pushed a button on the device that connected to other areas of the house. A few moments later Katherine came into the room.
“Did you need something?” she asked.
“Yes,” Victoria said. “We need Amanda’s magician’s cape.”
“It’s in the game room.”
“Would you fetch it, please?”
Katherine folded her arms and sent Victoria a significant look. “You know where the room is.”
Amanda’s face darkened like her uncle. “We know where it is, but it’s your job to get it for us. Now go.”
Victoria stared at her appalled. “You can’t speak to a grown woman like that.”
Amanda looked at her confused. “Yes, I can. She’s supposed to do her job.”
“No, you must still treat people with respect.”
Katherine spoke up. “Amanda can speak to me in any manner she wishes. You, however, cannot.”
Victoria stood and walked to the door. “I’ll be right back Amanda. Ms. Katherine and I need to have a few words.” Once outside in the hallway, she said. “That was unnecessary.”
“I do not respond to the requests of those below me. You may sleep with Mr. Braxton, but I can assure you that’s the only position that’s changed.”
Victoria straightened. “Please fetch Amanda’s cape. I will not repeat myself.”
“Neither will I.” She spun on her heel and left.
Victoria sighed and headed to the game room. She knew her relationship with Robert would not be welcomed, but hadn’t expected this. Katherine made her feel as though what she had with Robert was wrong. Perhaps it was, but she didn’t care.
“Did Ms. Katherine get the cape?” Amanda asked when Victoria returned to the room.
“Yes,” she lied. “Now let’s pretend we’re goddesses trapped by an evil witch...”
* * *
“So is it serious?” Foster asked Robert in the study as they went over the monthly ledger.
“Is what serious?”
“You and Victoria.”
Robert frowned. “We are discussing business right now.”
“I know... and it’s getting messy.”
He glanced up. “What do you mean?”
“How long do you plan on paying your lover a salary?”
Robert stared at his checkbook, taking reign on his temper. He did not like discussing his personal life, but Foster had a point.
“Ah,” Foster said. “So it is serious.”
Robert picked up another bill.
“She doesn’t need the money anymore.”
“Meaning she doesn’t need me anymore?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Robert scribbled an amount on a check.
“Come on, Braxton. Everyone is talking.”
Robert sent him a glance. “They can as long as I don’t hear them.”
“I like her.”
Robert rubbed the back of his neck ridiculously glad he did. “My mother doesn’t.”
“Fortunately, she’s leaving tomorrow.”
The two men smiled, then Foster laughed and the tense mood broke.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Robert said.
Katherine entered. Foster whispered, “Here’s someone else who doesn’t like Victoria. Excuse me.” He nodded to Katherine then closed the door behind him.
“Yes, Ms. Anderson?”
Katherine sat then said, “I’ve enjoyed being in your employ for a while now.”
“And I’ve enjoyed having you.”
“I liked the structured environment in which you chose to raise your niece. The staff hierarchy was instrumental to how efficient duties were performed and...”
Robert lost his patience. “Make your point.”
“Ms. Spenser feels she has the right to order me.”
“What did she order you to do?”
“To fetch Amanda’s cape.”
Robert stared at her annoyed that she would interrupt him with such a trivial complaint. “And that’s a problem?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Because she asked you and not Amanda?”
“I understood that the hierarchy in this household included whom should answer to whom. I have never in all my years working here had to fetch something for someone in a position below me.”
“The hierarchy has changed Ms. Anderson. Everyone is equal.”
“I doubt that, Mr. Braxton. Every household has its favorites.” She stood. “There is no need for a reprimand. I am giving you my notice.”
He nodded. “Very well.”
“But be careful, Mr. Braxton some poisons smell sweet.”
* * *
The next morning, Robert found Amanda and Victoria eating breakfast in the breakfast nook. “You’re bad for this house, Ms. Spenser,” he said pulling out a chair.
“Why?”
“Ms. Anderson has decided to leave us.”
She looked at him surprised. “What do you mean?”
“She gave me her notice.”
“But she can’t leave,” Victoria said alarmed. “Is she still here?”
“Yes, but it’s nothing to worry about. You could look after Amanda until—”
She pushed back her chair and stood. “No, I couldn’t.”
Robert shook his head confused by her look of panic. “Victoria, you just spent the night with her.”
“Katherine is better at this than I could ever be. I have to stop her.” Victoria ran to Katherine’s room. She’d been inside before. She found her completing her packing. “Please don’t leave.”
Katherine folded a blouse. “Why not?”
“I’m sorry I asked you to fetch the cape. We’ve never liked each other and I let my pride speak. I apologize. I understand that you only answer to Amanda. I’ll never ask anything of you again.”
She placed the blouse in her suitcase. “It’s too late.”
Victoria gripped the headboard. “You don’t have to leave. Please. I never wanted this.”
Katherine sent her a sharp look. “I disagree. I think you’ve gotten exactly what you wanted. You’ve successfully gotten rid of every person that could stand in your way.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I?”
“You can’t go.”
“Why not?”
She took a deep breath. “Because I can’t look after children.”
“Amazing, considering the many times you told me how to handle Amanda.”
“They were just suggestions.”
“I will not stay.”
Victoria lowered her voice. “If I were to leave...”
“I would rejoice.” Her tone filled with venom. “I regret the day you stepped foot in this house. No wonder there have always been rumors about you and the destruction you cause. Your spirit is as black as the ashes you see. You’ve created division and turmoil in the short months you’ve been here. Because of you Patrice and Nicholas are gone, Mrs. Braxton had harsh words with her son, Foster’s garden died, and your aunt passed away.”
Her voice broke. “That was not my fault.”
“Your behavior no doubt placed extra strain on her weak heart. Your aunt was a woman of such character, strength and humility. You were too selfish to know the shame you caused her by flirting with Mr. Braxton. Trying to impress him with your ‘gift.’ Now she’s gone and you have her money to live on. But you’ll never be one of them. No matter how fine you teach yourself to speak or what clothes you wear. You’ll never belong.” She smiled bitterly. “Though I know you will try.
“But Janet wasn’t the one you hurt the most. Mr. Braxton is your worse destruction. A man who once lived by order and rules, a man respected in his field had been reduced to using the ramblings of a cursed woman in his work. No, Victoria Spenser I wish you’d never come. You are ambitious and conniving. If only I had the stomach to stay and watch when he finally learns the truth about you.” She snapped her suitcase closed then left.
Victoria fell on the bed, a stab of anguish festering in her chest. No matter what she did she was ultimately condemned. She could leave. She could start somewhere else. Katherine was right she’d never belong.
Robert entered the room and sat beside her. “Victoria?”
She stared sightlessly at the wall. “I couldn’t get her to stay,” she said near tears.
“That’s okay. You can...” He stopped when she shook her head.
“I can’t handle the responsibility of looking after children. I don’t trust myself.”
He didn’t understand, but pretended to. “Okay. Then could you just stay in the house a for a time while I try to find someone else?” He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. She didn’t want to feel his touch with Katherine’s accusations still ringing in her head.
“What did she say to you?” he asked.
Victoria stared at her lap.
“She was angry, you can’t believe anything she said.”
“But she meant it.”
“She’s gone now.” He reached for her hand again; she let him take it. “Please stay with Amanda.”
“I don’t know.”
He clasped her hand in both of his, and said gently, “She really enjoys you. We’ll all help out, Foster, Ms. Dana, and myself. Even Benjamin.”
Victoria bit her lip then said, “All right.”
He opened his mouth to say more, then his mobile rang. “Braxton.”
“We found the dog,” Grant said.